Seniors Are Drawn to Milford

Senior travelers discover Milford, a town in Hillsborough County in southern New Hampshire, on the Souhegan River, that has a population just over 15,000. It is the retail and manufacturing center of a six-town area known informally as the Souhegan Valley.

Like most towns named Milford in the United States, its name comes from the fact that it grew around a mill built on a ford – in this case on the Souhegan River. The town is known for its “Pumpkin Festival” which is normally held in early October.

The festival is held over a 3-day weekend (Friday-Sunday) and attracts more than 35,000 people. The festival has many attractions including: food vendors, music stages, craft fair, carved Pumpkin lighting, a haunted Trail, a Beer and Wine Tasting and a fireworks display around the Oval.

Here is a neat live camera of the Oval and you will soon note why it is called the “Oval.”

Seniors Enjoy ‘The Granite Town’

Milford was once home to numerous granite quarries, which produced a stone that was used, among other things, to make the pillars for the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C.—pillars that can still be seen on the American $10 bill. Its nickname remains “The Granite Town,” although only one small quarry is in operation as of 2007.

Like many New England riverside towns, Milford, established in 1794, developed several thriving textile mills in the 19th century. That industry left New England by World War II, but Milford remains the commercial and retail center for surrounding towns.

Despite the town’s strong economic base, it manages to keep a small-town New England flavor. Officially designated Union Square, the Milford Oval is neither square nor oval in shape, but rather triangular. The Oval is the town center, with the Pillsbury Bandstand as its centerpiece and the Souhegan River as backdrop.

 Seniors Find Fruit Farm And Goats

TripAdvisor suggests senior visitors start your visit with the Monson Center. Me, I’d definitely want to stop by Butternut Farm on Federal Hill Road to check out all their goats.

Actually, it is a family run, family oriented, pick your own fruit farm where you can purchase fruit trees and where you will find a goat dairy. I love goats. They are such unique animals.

Milford is also home to the Milford State Fish Hatchery. And schools and colleges… Milford is within easy commuting distance to  Nashua Community College, Saint Anselm College, University of New Hampshire at Manchester, Daniel Webster College, Manchester Community Technical College, Southern New Hampshire University and Franklin Pierce University, so take your pick.

 Seniors, if you are history buffs, check out the The Carey House, home of the Milford, New Hampshire Historical Society. So set your sites on Milford and enjoy all the amenities that the town has to offer.  -jeb

Seniors Drop By Temecula

Temecula, a city in southwestern Riverside County, with a population of 100,097, is in the heart of southern California wine country. Temecula is a place where senior visitors will enjoy natural beauty, historic traditions, and modern conveniences.

Since its early beginning, the Temecula Valley has been a place where the combination of mild climate and beautiful rolling hills have attracted human settlement. Temecula is bordered by the City of Murrieta to the north and the Pechanga Indian Reservation and San Diego County to the south. The City of Temecula forms the southwestern anchor of the Inland Empire region.

The name Temecula comes from the Luiseño Indian word “Temecunga” – “temet” meaning “sun” and “-ngna” which means “place of”. The Spanish interpreted and spelled the word as “Temecula”.

Over the years, the meaning of “Temecula” has been translated into several different versions of this interpretation, including the most popular, which is “Where the sun breaks through the mist”. Its rich history is a major attraction for senior visitors to the area.

 Seniors Enjoy Tourist Destination

Temecula abounds in historical sites that include an old bank and the Mercantile building. The city is a prominent tourist destination. Senior travelers will enjoy the Temecula Valley Wine Country.

Old Town Temecula, championship golf courses and the Temecula Valley Polo Club are also attractive to visitors. The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival and the Temecula Valley International Film Festival, attract a significant number of senior tourists.

 Old Town Temecula Draws Seniors

TripAdvisor enjoyed a visit to Temecula and notes 75 things you will want to consider as “must see” sites starting off with Old Town Temecula. I know that this is where my wife and I would start off our visit.

Then we would have to do some serious tasting at several of the wineries in the area and maybe drop a few coins at the Pechanga Casino and then consider one of six balloon rides in and around Temecula. I’ve alway wanted to do that, expecially over vinyards!

So sets your sites on wine country and plan to spend a few days in Temecula.  You will find it to abound in hospitality and of course great wine. It is a fun place for a visit as this video shows. -jeb

Seniors Travel Back To England

 Known as the Jewel of Dartmoor, Chagford, England is considered to be a real treasure. Seniors will find this town of 1,470 in the heart of Devon, on the edge of legendary Dartmoor, a stopping point for visitors venturing to the picturesque South in  West of England.  

Chagford is old, even ancient. Archaeological remains confirm that a community has existed in this place for at least 4000 years. In historical times, Chagford grew due to the wool trade and from tin mining in the area, and in 1305 was made a stannary town where tin was traded.

A stannary town is where the coinage of tin takes place. This is where the tin is assessed by an assayer for its quality. This was done by hitting the ingot on the corner and listening for the sound. The tax on the tin was then levied by the town.

Seniors Enjoy The Arts In Chagford

Among the most prominent tin-mining families in the 16th century were the Endecotts, Knapmans, Whiddons and Lethbridges. A cattle market in the town survived until the 1980s.

Today Chagford England is a thriving community with high property prices, busy streets, and an unusually wide range of shops for a town of this size.

It is also known for its vibrant arts community, celebrated through the autumn Chagford Film Festival, the springtime ChagWord literary festival, the summer’s Chagstock Music Festival, the annual Wonderworks crafts weekend, and other regular cultural events.

The two large hardware stores in the town square have been run by the same two families for many years. There are several tea rooms and whole food cafés, one restaurant, and several pubs.

There are numerous guest houses and hotels in the surrounding countryside providing accommodation for the large influx of visitors during the year.

Seniors Stay At Three Crowns Inn

This senior would be sure to visit Spinster’s Rock. In a field due north of Chagford off a minor road leading to the village of Drewsteignton there stands an unusual structure consisting of a large stone slab like I have seen in Brittany in France.

TripAdvisor suggests that seniors will not want to miss Fernworthy Lake and Stone Lane Gardens. Three Crowns Inn sits in the heart of this pretty and vibrant stannary town. Three Crowns is an idyllic spot on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

Senior visitors will find that the bedrooms are cozy, stylish and inviting, comfortable and overflowing with character. The kitchen sources the very best of local Dartmoor produce, and the cooking is classy yet simple, perfect for a special meal or relaxing Country lunch.

Spend A Day In Chagford and enjoy all the amenities of this neat little town.  Enjoy your stay. -jeb

Seniors Stop In Newberg

Senior travelers descending into the green Chehalem Valley from Portland, find that Newberg is the first stop on their tour of Oregon wine country. Newberg with a population of around 22,000 is loaded with interesting history.

Newberg was named by its first postmaster, Sebastian Brutscher, for his former hometown of Neuberg, Germany. Senior visitors will discover that one of the current streets, Brutscher Street, is named after him. The Willamette River flows through Newberg adding to its scenic array along with Chehalem Creek and the surrounding Chehalem Mountains.

TripAdvisor suggests a hot air balloon ride. For years I have been trying to get brave enough to take a balloon ride. I can imagine just floating high over Yamhill County’s beautiful wine country.

 Seniors Find A Dynamic Small City

And a plethora of wineries abound all around Newberg…for you oenophiles, check out the various wine tours with a tasting room. Nearby in St. Paul, Oregon is the famed Champoeg State Heritage Area, a long-gone pioneer town now home to a museum, campsites, cabins, yurts and pet-friendly hiking trails.

Senior visitors will also find that the Heritage Area includes a visitor center, an 1860s-style garden, the Newell House Museum – Robert Newell’s restored 1852 house – and the Pioneer Mothers Memorial Cabin Museum.

Newberg is known as…“A Place To Grow,” and for good reason… in the last 50 years Newberg has become one of Oregon’s most dynamic small cities. It is said to  be Yamhill County’s Most Interesting City.

Seniors Enjoy Fine Art, Fine Wine And Fine Dining

Travel Oregon notes that Newberg is where artisan vintners craft complex Pinots and creative chefs use the region’s bounty as their palette for innovative menus so Newberg is the great destination for fine dining. Senior visitors will find fine art and fine wine in Historic Downtown Newberg. 

President Herbert Hoover moved to the city as a child in 1885, to live with his uncle and aunt after the death of his parents, and was one of the first students to attend his uncle’s Pacific Academy.  The home has been turned into the Hoover-Minthorn House museum.

Newberg was “dry”, meaning no alcohol could be sold within the city limits, for a good part of its early history. By the 1880s, the Newberg area had become heavily influenced by the Friends (Quaker) Church. Today Newberg holds the world record for the most churches per capita.

Newberg has a number of sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places; enjoys a nationally ranked university, George Fox University; and is part of the region in Oregon where one finds the oldest and most innovative wine producers.

Stop in Newberg and enjoy all that the town has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Discover Waynesville

Waynesville, the county seat of Haywood County, North Carolina, is the largest town in western North Carolina. Senior travelers will find Waynesville 25  miles west of Asheville.

The Town of Waynesville was incorporated in 1871 and today has a population of almost 10,000. Downtown Waynesville features the popular Mast General Store and senior visitors will find over a dozen galleries and a variety of antique shops, home furnishing centers and gift shops.

It is said that Waynesville is One Of North Carolina’s Best Kept Secrets. Be sure to visit the historic “Frog Level” district just below the Waynesville courthouse area.

Seniors Enjoy Town Founded By American Revolutionary War Soldier

The Town of Waynesville was founded in 1810 by Colonel Robert Love, an American Revolutionary War soldier. He donated land for the courthouse, jail, and public square, and named the town after his former commander in the war, General “Mad” Anthony Wayne.

With the proximity to the natural wonders of The Great Smokey Mountains National Park, as well as, the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, the town is truly a place of recreational opportunity. Seniors can delight at the natural splendor of fall leaf changes, or view snow covered mountains during the winter.

Perhaps one of the town’s greatest assets is its unique and lively Main Street.  Downtown Waynesville has been entertaining folks for over 200 years. A special occasion in Waynesville is Folkmoot U.S.A. This event attracts entertainers from all over the world and features two free events in downtown each July

Seniors Find 5 Things Not To Miss

The Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts housed in the historic Shelton House, showcases distinctive art, handicrafts, and furniture created by North Carolina artists, including intricate woodworking, weaving, quilting, pottery, dolls, a Native American room, and many other artifacts.

Five Things Not To Miss in Waynesville will keep senior visitors busy on their visit to this scenic town. Bring along a hungry palate and enjoy grits for breakfast and fried green tomatoes for dinner.

The town is nestled within the perfect setting of beautiful Appalachian mountain chains with many protected lands close by, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest, Harmen Den Wildlife Refuge, and Nantahala National Forest.

Seniors, set your GPS for Waynesville, North Carolina and enjoy the generosity, friendliness, and graciousness you will find in this scenic town.  -jeb

Seniors Visit Lenox

 Set in Western Massachusetts, Lenox is a charming hamlet in Berkshire County and is part of the Pittsfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population runs just over 6,000 inhabitants. Senior travelers will find this small, but vibrant New England town nestled in a scenic corner of the lush southern Berkshires.

Lenox is 3 hours from New York City, 2.5 hours from Boston and is said to be an arts-lover’s dream. Lenox Athenaeum provides seminars on classical music, theater, dance, literature, and other subjects. In addition music recitals, private and charitable functions, and lectures promote an appreciation of the history, literature, and the natural beauty of the Berkshires.

Lenox is alive with everything from culture to wellness, high fashion to antiques, fine art to hand crafted goods. Lenox is the site of Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Seniors Discover Summer Tourist Destination

Lenox includes the villages of New Lenox and Lenoxdale, and is a tourist destination during the summer. Full of New England history, in 1767 the town was intended to be called Lennox, probably after Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond but the name was misspelled by a clerk at incorporation. Yes, that happens.

Andrew Carnegie called Lenox home along with a host of other notables like Yo Yo Ma, Nathaniel Hawthorne and the Vanderbilt family.

Sites that might interest senior visitors abound in and around Lenox, notably the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum,  the Church on the Hill, the Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio, the Kripalu Center and the Lenox Railroad Station.

Lenox is home to the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Shakespeare & Company, Tanglewood, Ventfort Hall and Bellefontaine. Fodor’s Travel notes that the famed Tanglewood music festival has been a fixture in upscale Lenox for decades, and it’s a part of the reason the town remains highly popular the summer months.

 Seniors Enjoy The Mount

TripAdvisor suggests a visit to The Mount, a country house in Lenox and the home of noted American author Edith Wharton, who designed the house and its grounds and considered it her “first real home.” The estate, located in The Berkshires, is open to the public.

This senior would head off to the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary that is set amidst more than 1,000 lush acres in the Berkshires. Pleasant Valley’s varied trails wind through forests, meadows, wetlands, and along the slopes of Lenox Mountain, making this site an excellent location for easy-to-strenuous hiking, so bring along your boots.

Despite the strong tourist attractions and the array of accommodations, Lenox remains primarily a residential community that is continually on the move for folks of all ages. Seniors, plant your feet in Lenox, Massachusetts and enjoy the amenities the town has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Seek Fun Time in Forestville

Forestville’s (pop. 3,300+) unofficial motto is “Forestville, The Good Life. Senior travelers will find “Forestville in the coastal section of northern California in the heart of Sonoma County. It is a quiet little community half an hour from the Pacific coast and about an hour north of San Francisco.

In the Russian River Valley, Forestville is an area well known to wine lovers for the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines that are produced from grapes grown among the rolling hills of the area. A bit more spread out than other parts of Sonoma County, Forestville rewards the intrepid traveler with scenic vistas and small roads worth discovering.

Senior visitors are taken aback by its picturesque valleys laden with roaming vineyards. However, the town is more than a gateway to the Russian River, it is a diverse array of businesses, wineries, farming, and recreation.

Senior Travelers Enjoy Scenic Valleys And Vineyards

The history of Forestville began back in 1834 when Captain Juan Bautista Rogers Cooper bought a land grant from his brother-in-law, General Vallejo. Forestville has since remained a quaint California town with scenic valleys, vineyards, businesses. The major road through town, Highway 116, is also called Front Street for the length of the town, a distance of about three blocks.

The town came into existence during the late 1860s. By 1900, the community was known for attracting writers and artists and had a bohemian reputation.

Surrounded by gently rolling hills, stately redwoods, lush vineyards, and the majestic Russian River as it winds its way to the Pacific Ocean, Forestville maintains its rural character and scenic beauty.

TripAdvisor suggests seniors visit the vineyards of the area and take a canoe trip on the Russian River. Winding its way across the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, the famed Russian River offers a wide variety of outdoor opportunities.

Seniors Enjoy Art Galleries, Wineries And Mom’s Beach

Forestville is home to several art galleries, wineries, Farm Trails member sites and good food. Check out Five Fun Things to Do in Forestville.

Forestville River Access is a small parking area just off River Road with a short trail leading to a scenic Russian River beach known as Mom’s Beach. The rocky shore is ringed by greenery and redwoods, with a great view of the many trees across the river. It is a great spot to relax and watch river paddlers heading downstream.

Seniors, set your GPS for Forestville and enjoy the many amenities of this small community on the Russian River. -jeb

Seniors Flock To Hialeah

Founded in 1925, senior travelers will find Hialeah in Miami-Dade County, Florida, with a population of 225,000. Hialeah is the sixth-largest city in the state, and is a major city within the South Florida metropolitan area. “All Ways Lead to Hialeah”, one of the city’s first slogans, is well suited, given that Hialeah sits in the heart of northwest Dade, and has access to every major thoroughfare.

In Hialeah, senior visitors are only 20 minutes away from anywhere in the county.  Hialeah borders Opa-Locka, Miami and Miami Lakes and provides direct business access to both Opa-Locka Airport and Miami International Airport.

The city’s name is most commonly attributed to Muskogee origin, “Haiyakpo” (prairie) and “hili” (pretty) combining in “Hialeah” to mean “Pretty Prairie”. Alternatively, the word is of Seminole origin meaning “Upland Prairie”. The city is located upon a large prairie between Biscayne Bay and the Everglades.

The Seminole interpretation of its name, “High Prairie”, evokes a picture of the grassy plains used by the native Indians coming from the everglades to dock their canoes and display their wares for the newcomers of Miami. Hialeah has a booming economy.

Seniors Enjoy The Largely Spanish Speaking Community

Also known as The City of Progress, it has hosted a large number of Cuban refugees, who have played a massive role in shaping the culture of the whole city. So…Habla Usted Español? Hialeah has the highest percentage of Cuban and Cuban American residents of any city in the United States, 74% of the population, making them a distinctive and prominent feature of the city’s culture.

Hialeah has one of the largest Spanish-speaking communities in the US. Seniors, bone up a bit on your Spanish and enjoy mixing with the local residents.

Many folks don’t know that iconic aviatrix Amelia Earhart set off for her fateful plane ride from Hialeah. You may know however, of the famous Hialeah Race Track. The track, affectionately nicknamed “The Grand Dame”, received more coverage from the Miami media when it opened in 1925 than any other sporting event in Miami’s history.

Seniors Find Flamingos, Latin Restaurants And Celebrations

Hialeah Park is also well-known as an Audubon Bird Sanctuary because of its huge population of beautiful pink flamingos.

Bring along a demanding palate as Hialeah is renowned for its many incredible Latin restaurants. Hialeah is home to the annual Art on Palm Festival, a lively street festival that features local artists, as well as musical acts, street performers, and celebrations of Cuban heritage, including cigar rolling. I’d like that.

TripAdvisor suggests senior visitors not miss the Amelia Earhart Park and Mack’s Fish Camp. Get acquainted with Hialeah and plan to spend a few days enjoying all the amenities the city has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Stop In Londonderry

Londonderry is a town in southwestern Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Senior travelers find that it is bordered on the north by the city of Manchester and on the east by the town of Derry. The population runs just over 24,000 inhabitants.

Londonderry is known for its apple orchards and is home to the headquarters of Stonyfield Farm and partial home to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

Londonderry, which formerly included the present town of Derry, was settled in 1719, by a colony of presbyterians from the vicinity of the city of Londonderry, in the northern portion of Ireland, to which place their ancestors had emigrated about a century before from Scotland.

 Seniors Enjoy Londonderry’s History

They were a part of 120 families, chiefly from three parishes, who with their religious instructors came to New England in the summer of 1718 to escape the religious wars and persecution. In October, 1718, they applied to the government of Massachusetts for the grant of a township, and received assurances that a grant should be made them when they should select a place for its location.

Londonderry lies in an area that was first known as “Nutfield” because of the dense woods with nut trees. In 1722, the town was chartered and given the name “Londonderry.”

Londonderry is home to numerous businesses, many of which are located in the northern part of the town near Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), or in the southeastern part of town. Major businesses headquartered in town include Stonyfield Farm and Blue Seal Feeds plus a bottling facility of the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. The town is also home to numerous chain retailers.

 Seniors Visit Mack’s Apples

And the area in and around Londonderry is loaded with colleges and Universities. TripAdvisor has several attractions not to be missed on your visit to Londonderry, starting off with Tupelo Music Hall and Mack’s Apples, a local institution.

Mack’s Apples is an eighth generation family-run farm of approximately 400 acres – with 100 dedicated just to apples. I know that these seniors, (my wife and I), would enjoy that visit. 

Lawrence L. Lee Scouting Museum, the Children’s Museum of Portsmouth, the American Independence Museum, the Museum of New Hampshire History and the Henniker Historical Society Museum may prove interesting to those hoping to learn more about the area’s history.

Senior travelers, set your GPS for Londonderry and enjoy all that town has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Stop In Christiansburg

Christiansburg, Virginia is nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Christiansburg is the fourth largest town in Virginia. Christiansburg is home to approximately 21,000 residents, and senior visitors find a vibrant community that lives by its motto, “Progressive small town living at its best.”

“Christansburgh” is the original spelling of the town that was later changed to its present name. The town of Christiansburg became the county seat of Montgomery County, Virginia, and was officially incorporated on November 10, 1792. It was the site of the Lewis/McHenry duel, known in history as the first recorded duel with rifles.

In the 1850s, Christiansburg was a stagecoach stop on the route between Richmond, Virginia and Nashville, Tennessee. Christiansburg was named after William Christian.

Seniors, Davy Crockett Lived in Christiansburg

Davy Crockett lived in Christiansburg for some time and was bonded at Elijah Griffith’s Hattery Shop which was located at today’s 41 West Main Street. That business went bankrupt and Crockett was unable to pay his own debts. Subsequently, John Snider, Jr., opened another hattery further up the block at today’s 29 West Main Street.

Senior visitors will find plenty to see and do in and around Christiansburg.  TripAdvisor has a planned itinerary all prepared for you that includes the Huckleberry Trail and the Attimo Winery.

The town of Christiansburg has a rich historical and cultural heritage. One can learn more about this by visiting Montgomery Museum, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, Montgomery County Jail and Christiansburg City Hall.

 Seniors  Enjoy The Historical Christiansburg

In addition, the town has a number of churches and cemeteries that are worth visiting. The parks in town, Cambria Historic District, East Main Street Historic District, South Franklin Street Historic District offer senior visitors historical walks.

The Christiansburg Aquatic Center is the practice venue to the Virginia Tech swimming and diving team. The Aquatic Center offers up an Olympic sized pool. The Montgomery Museum & Lewis Miller Art Center gives visitors a glimpse of Christiansburg’s history along with beautiful gardens and exhibits.

Antiquing is all about finding that item that might not exist anywhere else, and with Downtown Christiansburg and the Cambria Historic District, senior visitors have the chance to visit large antique shops with hundreds of unique items.  Culture and Recreation abound in Christiansburg.  Senior visitors are invited to check out the many amenities the town has to offer.  -jeb

c